Ireadthereforeiam: you've got to walk before you can run

Bonfire on beach, my birthday eve: King Lenny: Wilbur and cousin collecting wood

Read so far:

NOVEMBER:
91. Resilience, by Anne Deveson (NF)

OCTOBER:
86. The Chequebook and the Cruise-Missile by Arundhati Roy (NF, interviews transcribed)
87. I Think Therefore I Am by Lesley Levine (NF)
88. The Luminaries, Elanor Catton (fiction)
89. Half of a Yellow Sun, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (fiction)
90. Heat and Dust, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

SEPTEMBER:
77. The Children of Men, by PD James (dystopian fiction)
78. Isaac's Storm, Erik Larson (narrative non-fiction)
79. Sula by Toni Morrison (fiction)
80. TransAtlantic, by Colum McCann (fiction)
81. Human Chain, Seamus Heaney (poetry)
82. Quiet, by Susan Cain (NF)
83. Harvest, Jim Crace (fiction)
84. Hellhound on his Trail by Hampton Sides (NNF)
85. The Time Machine by HG Wells (fiction, novella)

AUGUST:
66. A Tale for the Time Being, Ruth Ozeki (fiction)
67. Closely Watched Trains, Bohumil Hrabal (fiction)
68. The Cellist of Sarajevo, by Steven Galloway (fiction)
69. Wild, by Cheryl Strayed (memoir)
70. Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph (parenting)
71. Birds of America, Lorrie Moore (short stories)
72. The Beauty of Humanity Movement, by Camilla Gibb (fiction)
73. The Spinning Heart, Donal Ryan (fiction)
74. The Eye in the Door, by Pat barker (fiction)
75. Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney (epic poem)
76 Tortilla Flat, by John Steinbeck (fiction)

JULY:
57. The Unconscious Civilisation, by John Ralston Saul 4 stars (NF)
58. Extremes: Life Death and the Limits of the Human Body by Dr Kevin Fong (NF)
59. Degrees for Everyone, by Bob Jones (NZ, satire)
60. Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad (classic)
61. The Blank Wall by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding (crime)
62. How to Look at a Painting, by Justin Paton (NF)
63. The Testament of Mary, by Colm Toibin (alternative history/fiction)
64. Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger (fiction)
65. The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway (fiction, classic)

JUNE:
48. The Motel Life, Willy Vlautin (fiction)
49. My Name is Asher Lev, by Chaim Potok (fiction, re-read)
50. Lyrics, Paul Simon (lyrics)
51. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald (classic, re-re-read)
52. The ACB with Honora Lee, Kate De Goldi (YA)
53. Northline by Willy Vlautin (fiction)
54. The Accidental Tourist, by Anne Tyler (fiction)
55. Coraline, Neil Gaiman (YA)
56. Revolutionary Road, Richard Yates (fiction)

MAY:
40. Bereft, Chris Womersley (fiction)
41. The Wasp Factory, Iain Banks (fiction)
42. The Colour, Rose Tremain (historical fiction, NZ)
43. The God Boy, Ian Cross (fiction, NZ)
44. The Yellow Birds, Kevin Powers (fiction)
45. The End of the Affair, Graham Greene (fiction)
46. The Stone Diaries, Carol Shields (fiction)
47. Skios, Michael Frayn (fiction)

APRIL:
33. Excellent Women, Barbara Pym (classic)
34. Decline into Darkness, Gay Oakes (memoir, NZ)
35. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald (classic)
36. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, Michael Chabon (fiction)
37. All Quiet on the Western Front (classic)
38. Regeneration, Pat Barker (fiction)
39. Safe Area Gorazde, Joe Sacco (GN)

MARCH:
24. The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Moshin Hamid (fiction)
25. Somebody Stole My Game, Chris Laidlaw (NZ, NF, rugby)
26. Looking for Lionel, Sharon Snir (memoir)
27. Pocket Book Of Dinosaurs - Illustrated Guide To The Dinosaur Kingdom, Dougal Dixon (NF, educational)
28. The Worst Hard Time, Timothy Egan (NFN)
29. Call the Midwife, Jeniffer Worth (memoir)
30. The Shock Doctrine, by Naomi Klein (NF)
31. The Gospel According to Judas, Benjamin Iscariot/Jeffrey Archer/Francis Moloney (fiction)
32. The Swiss Family Robinson by Johan Wyss (classic)

FEBRUARY:
13. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (historic fiction)
14. The Forrests by Emily Perkins (NZ, fiction)
15. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee (classic fiction)
16. Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively (fiction)
17. No Country for Old Men, Cormac McCarthy (fiction)
18. The Rape of the Lock, Alexander Pope (poetry)
19. The Plague, Albert Camus (classic)
20. Whale Rider, Witi Ihimaera (NZ fiction)
21. Odyssey and Images, Ron Crosby (NZ, memoir, my own family history, a re-read)
22. We Dont Live Here Anymore, Andre Dubus (3x Novellas)
23. Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls (classic)

JANUARY:
1. Mister Pip- Lloyd Jones (NZ fiction)
2. Writer MD- edited by Leah Kaminsky (Essays, Short Stories)
3. Mayflower- Nathaniel Philbrick (NFN)
4. Quarry- by Damon Galgut (fiction)
5. Old Filth- by Jane (fiction)
6. The Sense of an Ending- by Julian Barnes (fiction)
7. Leningrad, by Anna Reid (NF, history)
8. The Memory of Running, by Ron McLarty(fiction)
9. Brokeback Mountain, by Annie Proulx (short story)
10. Lemona's Tale, by Ken Saro-Wiwa (African fiction)
11. Various Pets Dead and Alive, by Marina Lewycka (fiction)
12. What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge (classic)

Books Bought 2013

NOVEMBER:
(155) The Executioner's Song, by Norman Mailer $7.99
(156) Andris, Where are you? by Ron Crosby (free, gift)
(157) My Mistress's Sparrow is Dead, edited by Jeffrey Eugenides $1
(158) 100 NZ Short Short Stories edited by Graeme Lay $1
(159) The Ancestor Game by Alex Miller $1

OCTOBER:
(133) The Luminaries by Elanor Catton $22
(134) Palace of Desire by Naguib Mahfouz $4
(135) Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler $3
(136) Fire Under the Snow by Palden Gyatso $3
(137) The Boy in Striped Pyjamas by John Boyle $3
(138) A State of Siege and The Rainbirds by Janet Frame $3
(139) The Forrests by Emily Perkins $3
(140) On Equilibrium by John Raulston Saul $3
(141) Krakatoa by Simon Winchester $3
(142) The Chequebook and the Cruise-Missile by Arundhati Roy $3
(143) Granta: New Fiction Special (#106) $3 CURRENTLY READING
(144) Granta: Going Back (#111) $3
(145) Granta: The New Nature Writing (#102) $3
(146) Colony by Hugo Wilcken .33c
(147) Resilience by Anne Deveson .33c
(148) The Known World by Edward P Jones .33c
(149) Zoology by Ben Dolnick .33c
(150) The Caged Virgin by Ayaan Hersi Ali .33c
(151) How to Gaze at the Southern Stars by Richard Hall .33c
(152) Shipwrecks by Akira Yoshimura .33c
(153) The Mermaid and the Drunks by Ben Richards .33c
(154) A Recent Martyr by Valerie Martin .33c

SEPTEMBER:
(123) Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi $2
(124) Replay by Ken Grimwood $2
(125) Branded Nation, James B Twitchell $2
(126) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou $2
(127) Island by Aldous Huxley $2
(128) July's People by Nadine Gordimer $2
(129) A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan $2
(130) The Bridge by Iain Banks $2
(131) Dead Air by Iain Banks $2
(132) The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis $2

AUGUST: looks like the worst, or best??, month for book-buying so far!
(120) The Song of Names by Norman Lebrecht .25c
(121) The Secret River by Kate Grenville .25c
(122) The Children of Men by PD James $1

JULY
(111) White Gold by Giles Milton (NNF) $1
(112) The Dangerous Book for Boys (NZ Edition) $2
(113) The Ghost Road by Pat Barker $7.99
(114) Bamboo Palace by Christopher Kremmer .50c
(115) Miramar Dog by Denis Edwards $2
(116) Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh .50c
(117) Beowolf translated by Seamus Heaney (free)
(118) Brick Lane, by Monica Ali .50c
(119) Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen $1 (new!)

JUNE
(102) Sum by David Eagleman $1
(103) Degrees for Everyone by Bob Jones $1
(104) The Calendar by David Ewing Duncan $2
(105) Apricots on the Nile by Colette Rossant $2
(106) Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys $5
(107) The Lord of the Rings- trilogy, by JRR Tolkein $2
(108) Double Vision by Pat Barker $2
(109) Black Holes and Baby Universes by Stephen Hawking $2
(110) Isaac's Storm, by Erik Larson $2

MAY
(89) The Rules of Engagement, by Anita Brookner .50c
(90) Lyrics 1964-2011, by Paul Simon, NEW! $21
(91) American Pastoral by Philip Roth $2
(92) The Other by David Guterson $2
(93) Closely Watched Trains by Bohumil Hrabal $2
(94) The Hours by Michael Cunningham $2
(95) Love and Other Impossible Pursuits by Ayelet Waldman 50c
(96) Where Angels Fear to Tread by EM Forster 50c
(97) The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James and $2
(98) The Waves by Virginia Woolfe $2
(99) American Gods by Neil Gaiman (free)
(100) From Oslo to Iraq and the Roadmap by Edward W Said (free)
(101) My Name is Asher Lev, by Chaim Potok

APRIL
(66) All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque $5
(67) What is the What by Dave Eggers $9
(68) The Unconscious Civilization by John Raulston Saul (NF) $8.30
(69) The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman $8.30
(70) Indignation by Philip Roth $8.30
(71) Songs of Enchantment by Ben Okri $8.50
(73) The Human Stain by Philip Roth $8.50
(74) How Late it was, How Late by James Kelman (Booker winner) $13.50 (most expensive 2nd hand book so far!)
(75) Sugar Street by Naguib Mahfouz $9
(76) Cosmopolis by Don DeLillo $9.50
(77) The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler $1
(78) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson .50c
(79) The Regeneration Trilogy by Pat Barker .50c
(80) Sula by Toni Morrison .50c
(81) Arthur and George by Julian Barnes $3
(82) The Colour by Rose Tremain $3
(83) In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick $3
(84) Good to a Fault by Marina Endicott $3
(85) The Accidental by Ali Smith $3
(86) Falling Slowly by Anita Brookner $3
(87) Skios by Michael Frayn $3
(88) Our Kind of Traitor by John LeCarre $3

MARCH
(40) The Antelope Wife by Louise Erdrich $2
(41) Under the Clock, Tony Harrison .50c (poetry)
(42) Tales from the Arabian Nights .50c
(43) Time's Arrow, Martin Amis .33c
(44) Aleutian Sparrow, Karen Hesse .33c
(45) Looking for Lionel, Sharon Snir .50c
(46) March, Geraldine Brooks $2 (Pulitzer Prize Winner)
(47) Used and Rare, Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone (from mum)
(48) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
(49) The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey (shortlisted Orange Prize 2010) $6.33
(50) Kings of the Water by Mark Behr $6.33
(51) The Emigre by Joan Brady $6.33
(52) Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez $4
(53) The God Boy by Ian Cross $4
(54) The Lemur by Benjamin Black $1.75
(55) The Tale of Troy (Puffin Classic) $5.92
(56) Black Beauty (Puffin Classic) $5.92
(57) The Hound of the Baskervilles (Puffin Classic) $5.92
(58) The Eye in the Door by Pat Barker $12
(59) The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot and Jeffrey Archer $3
(60) In America by Susan Sontag $3
(61) The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon $3
(62) Starbook by Ben Okri $5
(63) Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel $4 DNF
(64) Anne of Avonlea a Puffin Classic edition $3
(65) How to Look at a Painting by Justin Paton $5

FEBRUARY
(21) Family Matters, Rohinton Mistry (Booker shortlist 2002) $4 (given away)
(22) Offshore, Penelope Fitzgerald (Booker winner 1979) $2
(23) Infinite Riches by Ben Okri $5
(24) Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach .50c
(25) Fosterling by Emma Neale .50c (got rid of)
(26) The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope $1
(27) An Uncommon Reader, Alan Bennett $1
(28) The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carre (Penguin Modern Classic) $4
(29) Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver $5
(30) Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Puffin Classic series that I collect) $4
(31) The End of the Affair by Graham Greene $4
(32) The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce by Paul Torday $4
(33) Lord of the Flies by William Golding $5
(34) The Famished Road by Ben Okri (Booker winner 1991) $2
(35) Astonishing the Gods by Ben Okri $2
(36) Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner (Booker winner 1984) $2
(37) Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery $2
(38) The Time Machine, HG Wells $8
(39) The Red Pony, John Steinbeck $3

JANUARY
(1) The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai $4
(2) The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes $4
(3) The Quarry by Damon Galgut $4
(4) The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
(5) The Body Artist by Don Delillo $3
(6) Old Filth by Jane Gardham $4
(7) Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson $3
(8) Lemona's Tale by Ken Saro-Wiwa $3
(9) Life and Times of Michael K by JM Coetzee $4
(10) Dirt Music by Tim Winton $1
(11) Voss, by Patrick White .50c
(12) Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx .50c
(13) Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales $6
(14) What Katy Did, Susan Coolidge $6
(15) The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (as pressie) $3.63
(16) The Interrogator's War by Chris Mackey with Greg Miller (free)
(17) At One with the Sea by Naomi James (free)
(18) The Railway Children by E. Nesbit $4.95
(19) Kim by Rudyard Kipling $6.40
(20) The Swiss Family by Robinson, Johan Wyss $6.50

Currently Reading

You can walk! You can walk! I am so happy for you, Megan! What a relief, huh?

Congrats on the new thread! Love the pics!

Love the pic of King Lenny up top there! He definitely looks comfortable on that "throne"!

Bonfire on the beach for you b/day! Yay!

Bigger is better, in this photo anyway.
What a dude.

Mark: yes! Mister First Place, I can walk. Well, hobbling more like it. But technically speaking I can walk!! It is really quite convenient :)

Julia: Those chairs were random. Very upright, and odd. My sister had the call of the day, she stated (in sympathy with me having had too much to drink the night before) "If I was hungover, I wouldn't be able to deal with those chairs".

Nancy: bonfire was great. There was champagne too :) (although I preferred a Radler) I had to get ferried there on the 4-wheeled motorbike trailer, with the little kids. Brilliant ingenuity if I do say so myself.

Wow that is some chair! Cruel though putting the food tantalisingly just out of his reach.
Congratulations on your latest thread Megan and GO CATTON!

Very cool chair ..... looks like it belongs to a mad hatters tea party !

From the last thread: A child can be registered for kindergarten (our first year of required school) if he or she is five before September-something. Some parents delay until their children are six, but most seem to send their five-year-olds. B is 5.5, but Max will be six when he starts, because of his October birthday.

I love the chair, and the unwrapping photo from the last thread.

>8 LovingLit: aaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!

*total cheek-pinching neck-schnuzzling rib-tickling papaw meltdown*

Ha! Great photo, Megan.

Glad you're starting to be able to walk/hobble. I wouldn't hurry to get to the running mentioned in your thread title.

Paul: that boy can reach any food. He has a knack :) He ate all his orange chunks btw. And then started demanding my birthday licorice allsorts. The cheek!

Alex: It does look like that doesn't it? I said the same...actually I said it looked like it was from Alice in Wonderland, but that is the same thing I think.

Luxx: ah yes, I remember now. I think I have had this discussion before. I quite like Australia's method, of having 2 start dates during the school year, you can send your kid on either from the age of 5, but most are already on the way to being 6 before starting.
W is impatient with writing, he cant be bothered to do it precisely. But he'll get there.

RD: that's exactly the kind of reaction I was hoping for from you RD! :) You never fail to deliver.

Hi Joe!
Yea, I know (sort of) that I shouldn't be impatient to get running. Let me be clear though, I dont actually run, ever. I mean getting up and running, metaphorically ;)
And I cant wait! I'd say it will be another 10 days before I am back to good again. YAY!

Congratulations on your almost complete recovery Megan. A few more days and you'll be on your way. That chair?? King Lenny is adorable.

Congrats on getting rid of the crutches and cast. What a treat for your birthday!

That is quite the chair under the young Lenny. So glad you're over the surgery and are on the road to recovery. A belated happy birthday (we were trawling up and down the East coast, so I missed everything).

Yes! Great pics! & another belated happy birthday.

Bonnie: hi :)
Walking is a real buzz - how easy it is to take the basics for granted, but I do really enjoy getting such a buzz from returning to bipedalism (?) haha.

Cobscook: a fantastic birthday pressie huh? Now I just have to remember to take the crutches back to the hospital! The ones from my last surgery are still hanging about here *woops*

Tui: that (those, actually) chair was impressive! The table they bookended was impressive too, it must have been 3 meters long!

Cammy: thanks! I'll take all the belated birthdays I can get.

Oh Megan! I missed your birthday celebrations too. Can you forgive my lateness to ze partay? Many belated birthday wishes for an extended month of wonderfulness!

Yay for a smelly, weird looking, but cast free foot!!

No cast! No crutches! And a birthday!! Life is good. : )

Tina- thanks! Never too late :)
Unfortunately though, my bold list entitled "38 Things to do Before I turn 38" now has to be renamed "the Remainder of the 38 Things to do before I turned 38 + 12 weeks extra for time spent on crutches". Ie: I have not completed them all in time, so am allowing myself the extra. ;)
It's just as well that I make the rules, isn't it!?

Kim- howdy! And school holidays too- which is cool mainly as (a) I dont have to make kindy/school lunches and (b) I dont have to deal with the mamma anxiety of a boy new to school :) (not til a week and 2 days away, anyway) But also cool because (c) we get to do whatever we want every day, ad I love that.

Hej Megan, seems like a lot of fun and leisure time in your pictures in this new thread, looks great

Book Haul! $3 each at another Rotary Book Sale

Fiction
Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler
Fire Under the Snow by Palden Gyatso
The Boy in Striped Pyjamas by John Boyle
A State of Siege and The Rainbirds by Janet Frame
The Forrests by Emily Perkins

Non-fiction
On Equilibrium by John Raulston Saul
Krakatoa by Simon Winchester
The Chequebook and the Cruise Missile by Arundhati Roy

Granta all with delicious and arty cover art
Granta: New Fiction Special (#106)
Granta: Going Back (#111)
Granta: The New Nature Writing (#102)

eta: forgot the one I already started! Interviews with Arundhati Roy
eta again: and it's signed!!

Hi Megan! I finally caught up on your 14 (!?!) threads.
First things first -- Happy Birthday and Hooray! for two functional and pain free feet!
Your boys are still adorable. Wilbur is getting so big.
The picture of your grandad in his home in Latvia -- way back in thread #2- is really beautiful. Facebook no longer shows me photos from your father's Facebook page. I guess their new ownership rules have chased him -- and all other artists- away.
I agree with your review of The Heart of Darkness. I thought the book had atmosphere but too little story.
Liked your review of TransAtlantic. I have to get to that one soon. Two weeks ago I went to a "luncheon" at the library that featured a conversation between Colum McCann and Pete Hamil. They talked about everything but TransAtlantic.
Enjoy your holiday!

>25 paulstalder: hi Paul- a lot of photos taken on a 3 day holiday can look like a great life and belie the 6 weeks of stationary frustration that went before :)
But yes, there was a lot of fun and activity to be had. And one lovely family photograph taken in which my kids didn't act out (hooray!)

>27 VioletBramble: hi Kelly! Nice to see you here again :)
You certainly are dedicated to go that far back in your thread catch ups!
You are right about facebook chasing artists away, the fear that the images could be "legally" appropriated was enough to get him considering going off for good. My brother has gone off it (he is a photographer too). I may even remove some!
Thanks for taking the time to find me. And what a shame the author couldn't /wouldn't talk about his newest novel.

Another great book haul, Megan. You're the best for finding fantastic sales!

Megan - You are certainly adept at finding bargains in that book-buying-value-desert there. I read the Anne Tyler this year and didn't think it one of her better efforts in truth.
Wishing you a great start (middle and end) to your weekend.

Hi Megan- Just checking in. How is the hobbling around going? Any easier? Nice book haul, up there. I am going to try to restrain myself for awhile, bringing home any books. I have to make a dent in Mt. Glacier.

Always a pleasure to find your new thread.. and I love the picks. Wee Lenny looks quite comfortable enthroned... good on him!

Walking is indeed convenient, just don't take on too much too soon, got it?

I like the option of having 2 start dates for kindergarten. Very helpful for many, I'm sure. I guess I didn't really think about Kindergarten being actually required here. I guess it is. It didn't used to be, many years ago.

Your threads are always telling good stories .... I like it here.

I just love the Granta covers (here in the order listed in post #26)

Nancy: the Rotary book sales seem to fall on top of each other. Yesterday's one was out in my home town, so unless my mum had told me about it I wouldn't have heard of it.
Going back to where I grew up (it's only 40 minutes drive away) is funny, I always see familiar faces. Yesterday I saw my old primary school teacher, and my old high school Principal standing together as I bought my books! *flash back*

Paul: you have to be a bargain hunter around these parts to get the cheap books :) (as you know)
I had more in my bag, but got picky when saw the stack growing and growing. I put back a few that were a bit tatty. I was really pleased to get the Arundhati Roy interviews book though, it is fantastic.

Mark: I am hobbling nicely. I still cant fit a shoe on my foot though! To prevent my heel from getting (more) bruised, I have put a spare inner sole inside my sock to give a bit of softness to guard against the hardwood floors we have.
My purchased books have stared to become an issue around here too. I now have stacks just lying around. The mark of a true bibliophile, I know, but a pain to tidy around!

Kath: hello!
Lenny is very comfortably the king of the household lately! He is toddler-ego-tastic and saying some impressive things. (like his response to my pointing out sheep in a paddock we were driving past...."actually, lambs"- !!)
Kindergarten here is optional, and not in the same grounds as schools. Year 1 is new entrants and up to 6 year-olds.

BOOK 86
The Chequebook and the Cruise Missile by Arundhati Roy (NF, transcribed interviews)

I so love it when a persons writing (or in this case speaking) completely encapsulates what you think about a topic. And when they add to your knowledge so comprehensively and so convincingly, what can is there to complain about?

The topic of this book is neoliberal capitalism. It is also justice, human rights, politics, economics, the geography of power, literature, globalisation, environmentalism, colonialism, emperialism and about a hundred other "isms" that control people worldwide with or without them knowing it.

Three interviews that took place just post the September 11 World Trade Centre attacks are transcribed here. Roy speaks her mind to the interviewer in a frank and succinct manner. She maintains her right to take sides, get angry and make change. 4.5 stars

Megan!
Happy Birthday - a bit late but very sincere! What a great day for you to get out of that cast - and exciting for the boys too :)
You are almost there! After all these months. I can only imagine how goooood it feels.

Looks like you have not lost your knack for book bargains. Nice haul.
Especially love your vacation pictures. Looks like fun.

Hope this coming year is your best ever so far!

Hi smoochling, happy Sunday evening.

Megan, congratulations on getting your foot back! I know you will enjoy walking on your way to running again. And, of course, happy belated birthday!!

I'm assuming you did not, in fact, complete The Luminaries in just three days of visiting. I would have been astounded had you done so. I can't wait to get a copy but haven't yet ordered it.

Happy October!

BOOK 87
I Think Therefore I Am by Lesley Levine, NF

A lovely cover and an apt title (for me), this little birthday present book was a thoughtful on from my lovely other.

It is a lightweight, and sometimes flippant, description of "important" philosophers throughout time. It was nice to learn who said my favourite bastardised philosophical quote of all time (Descartes). My favourite variant being "I think therefore I am spam" (as seen on a t-shirt), closely followed by the artwork which proclaims "I shop therefore I am" (Barbara Kruger).

The author thinks (s)he? is quite funny, which trivialises the text somewhat. But I did enjoy the sections on the more recent philosophers and it has made me interested to read some John Paul Satre and the 20thC heavy-weights. 3 stars

>37 -Cee-: Hi Cee- book bargains and me get on just fine :)
Thanks for the belated Bday greetings, it's like the birthday that never ended!

>38 richardderus: Hi RD- Sunday turned out a bit of a write-off. I woke up very early with hot and cold sweats, then felt nauseous for many hours. I ended up sleeping from 10am-1pm and couldn't believe it when I woke up after that long! Luckily for me, my lovely other had already planned to take the kiddos out for the morning. It wasn't exactly what I had wanted to use the time for....but needs must and all that.
By Sunday evening, I was still tired, and hungry!

>39 EBT1002: Hi!
The Luminaries is still being worked on, It deserves my full attention, so has to wait for evenings. And unfortunately for it, these last few evenings I have been out. But I am a third of the way in, and am really enjoying the story.
As for the running, I'll leave that to you ;)

^ Well, enjoy your greater capacity for walks, Megan! I'm glad you're enjoying The Luminaries even if you're not getting as much time for it as you would like. I can certainly relate to that.....

Hi there, Megan. You can walk again! That is excellent news. I'm glad you were able to walk around the book sale and collect such a good haul! I love the picture of Lenny in the big chair. Looks like he's growing fast.

Since your birthday is never-ending, I'll wish you a Happy Belated Birthday. I love the way you chose to celebrate. It's been a long, long time since we've built a bonfire on a beach. I'm going to put that on my list of things to do next summer!

Boo Megan... I'm sorry you had such a rough day. But your body must have really needed the rest! Yay for your lovely other stepping up with the kiddos.

Glad your foot continues to improve. Go slow!!!

>42 EBT1002: Ellen, don't you just feel sometimes that life gets in the way of reading? lol, I sure do.
I cannot wait to get walking again, proper walking. Like hour long walks. It has been so long since I was able to walk pain free. Running is out as my hip isn't up to the impact (it's pain-free though so that's not an issue, it is just potential damage to the "new" joint that is the issue).

>43 Donna828: hi Donna, Lenny is growing super-fast! He says whole sentences now, and is getting, shall I say, stroppy...yes, I will say that. Cheeky and stroppy :)
I love bonfires on the beach, and the kids do too. We try to include one in every holiday.

>44 TinaV95: I did have a rough day yesterday, but it was just as well really as i got to put my foot up all day, which is (as my surgeon informed me today) still healing. At the end of the day it is very puffy, and "Megan's foot up time" is not something that is scheduled in these days :)

Hi Megan, I am just dropping in on you. Hope your days get better and better.

41 > That viral thing is really doing the rounds ...... Hope you are feeling better

>47 roundballnz: I agree Alex. It has been an awful winter for viruses in NZ. My daughter in Auckland gave us a real fright when she suffered what appeared to a be a mini stroke. After Ct scans and MRIs eliminated that and brain tumours bleeds and aneurysms they labelled it a virus. I spent 3 weeks with her as she regained strength function and balance in her right side but accidently gave her and my 2 grandsons the flu virus , not realising that that was what my granddaughter had. We were all wiped out for another week. Roll on summer and go gently Megan.:-)

The weather is beginning to warm up there, so you should be in shape soon, to start those lovely walks. Plus, we want you pain-free.
That photo of Lenny sitting in that enormous chair, never fails to put a grin on my face.

Hi hun - so so behind - very very belated happy birthday, non crutch related congratulations and big virus sympathy (my work colleagues are dropping like flies and I'm living in fear of it getting me next!).

Happy Tuesday, Minerva!

Anne: continue rounding! It takes time doesn't it?

Alex: I am pretty sure it was the one my lovely other had during the week, and maybe even the same one the kids had the week before...thank GOODNESS no one had it while we were on holiday!

Helen: none of ours were anywhere near that bad! That sounded horrible. Ours were all one-day wonders, just as I like them to be. Poor W had back to back 3-4 day ones a while back. It was a hassle, but at least not life threatening or too scary.

Mark: Im getting there! And my surgeon who I saw yesterday was very pleased with my progress, not one word of admonishment about my self-cast-removal ;)

Bekka: colleagues dropping like flies is always a bad sign!! I hope you stay clean, literally! My advise is to wash your hands as often as you can without getting institutionalised for having OCD ;)

RD: thanks RD! *chuckle* Minerva- that's a new one!

There was a cartoon back in the early 70s which had a pig saying, "I'm pink, therefore I'm Spam". You have to know about that ghastly tinned stuff called Spam made out of pork, a staple of WWII for the troops, for this to have any humour.

>53 tiffin: cool! I hadn't heard of that, I wonder if the original T-shirt (seen in Africa by my ex bf) actually said that? It is even funnier. And makes a lot more sense ;)
We still have tins of spam here for sale, in old style packaging. I see a t-shirt making session coming on!

Just a quick stop in to say hello. Time for me to get read for work... Sad to say :P
Oh well, I get to come home at 5!

Belated happy birthday and belated congratulations on getting the cast off!

Belated birthday wishes - I know it would have been a fabulous day! So glad to see you are back with both feet on the ground! (and a great book haul, too - wish our Rotary Clubs ran book sales down here!)

Kath: hi there, busy day at the office again for you then? Hm, seems to be the case these days!? I have been flitting about foot-loose and fancy-free lately. Getting about town visiting and generally being a busy bee. All good fun, as all by choice :)

Heather: thank you! I hope never to be plastered again, except maybe if I drink too much...then that'd be OK :)

Prue: I love the book sales, $2 and $3 books are amazing things to me. Especially if you choose well and only get the pretty editions that look new- those finds are the best. If it isn't top-quality, I'll leave it and just borrow from the library.

It's times like these I wish I had an iPhone so that I could have a photo on here in the push of a button....imagination will have to do for now though.

This morning I took Wilbur to go on a horse ride. He was nervous at the start and even stated he would not be doing it but thank goodness he got going and had a half hour walk around the paddock led by a lovely girl who put him at ease. His little friend Finley had been riding before so was a good role model :)
He had a ball and now wants to go every day. OK. Well, we might go again next weekend, but it wont be every day! Luckily for us mums there was a cafe (in a shipping container as is the fashion now here in Christchurch) situated within view of the paddock. A good morning on so many levels.

And next week the school holidays end *boo hoo* so it'll be school lunches and drop offs/pick ups. (*not mentioning the anxiety-inducing first full week of school or the tired cranky boy we will no doubt have*)

I'm glad Wilbur ended up enjoying the horse ride, Megan! It sounds like he fell in love with the experience. Very cool.

I thought of you this evening as I was walking from campus to a neighborhood about a third of the way home. I picked up a bus there for the remainder of the commute but the 30-minute brisk walk was needed to work off some energy. Anyway, it was a nice walk (although it was along a busy street so it wasn't a quiet walk) and I thought about your longing for a good hour-long walk. You'll get there and I empathize with how much it helps to be able to really move!

Love Wilbur's horse riding story, Megan : ).

I am so happy for you that the surgeries are done and life is back to Megan normal. I have been taking advantage of my sisters absence ( vaca) to soak up nephlet time. This has helped to keep me away from LT and busy snuggling up with the boys. I might try to do it again today..

#59 LOL - I wouldn't worry about the anxiety inducing first full week - but you will definitely have an over tired cranky boy :) We are approaching half term (last week of Oct) and Cass is on the wane - lots of tears for things that would usually be no trouble.

Have a happy weekend, with some reading and some drinking and a lot of smiling.

Is Megan normal similar to Caroline normal?

Ellen: I love that you thought of me all the way across the world while you were walking! I often think of my fellow LTers and random times during the day, it is such a nice community here. :)
Yesterday I walked the most I have in 2 months! All around the horse place, then the playground, then after the kids and a friend who was over for a play date. And the foot handled it well enough, so that was great.

Nancy: me too! He has this thing where he digs his heels in and refuses to take a chance on a new thing, so I was really proud of him for pushing through and having a great time.

Kath: good for you- the nephlets will be loving it too I bet :)

Bekka: oh dear, it is just as I feared then. High drama coming up- I shall have to practice my patience!

RD: gracias! I have yet to squeeze in any reading, but did wrangle myself a lengthy sleep-in this morning. Til 8.3am!! It did come with some bizarre dreams though, which I blame on the chilli-infused meal I had last night (and the night before).
We are talking gender-bending, mutilation by choice, 4-tiered bunk-beds, and squatting (as in moving in, not for purposes of toileting) in a Swiss chalet. The person who can explain to me my night-time brain is a genius.

Darryl: I want to say yes....but I am lathe to invite mishaps, trips, falls or odd situations upon myself!
eta: by lathe I mean loathe ;)

Um, Megan, I think we may all be in agreement that you don't really need to invite them....

Okay, having said that, now I have to add: Be careful. :-)

Ellen, check out our post times. Exactly the same! (great minds!!)
I am not looking to invite anything other than health and happiness into my life right now. Thank you very much. I shall proceed with my good vibes to assist that occurring ;)

Christmas Swap? I'm there!

Hi Megan- Hope you had a nice weekend. Glad to see you are walking around. Must feel good. Loved the photos of Wilbur on FB. You'll have to share over here. The troops would love it.

Yep, inviting only good things in makes total sense to me. I think I'll join you!
And yes to joining the Christmas Swap!

Wilbur's first day of school (pictured here before) was a success! Hooray. He loved it. I loved that he loved it. Everyone's happy!
What a card my little camera-shy boy doing some crazy ninja style poses for the camera.

Mark: see above! Isn't he classic!? He cracked me up this morning. And I was so pleased that he had a great day, when I arrived to collect him he said that he didn't want to come home yet! I am happiness filled that it went well.:)

So now I am unwinding, putting my swollen ankle up.....I wish someone had told me that I have to learn to walk before I learn to run!!??.....and sampling a Cabernet Merlot whilst the homemade pizza bases rise in preparation for Wilbur's celebratory first-day-of-school pizza dinner. I cant complain really.

Ellen: I said yes(!) to the Xmas Swap on an impulse, but as that is unlike me, I will just call it going outside my comfort zone :) I will also call it "getting myself a book".
I might just have to start my Xmas Book Swap section in my profile now, just to get some goodies in there.

Megan, getting yourself a book (and giving one to some other book lover in the bargain) is as good a reason as any! I have a SWAP Wishlist and it's fun to throw things in there and see what the winds bring your way.

Wilbur is so darn cute. Camera shy, perhaps not so much, but definitely cute.

Great pictures of Wilbur. And so nice that he enjoyed his first day. I remember when J first started school me and Mr SandDune were fussing around in the classroom, doing our anxious parent bit. And then he turned to us with a very definite voice and said 'I'm fine. You can go now Mummy'.

#71 Very cute photos of Wilbur and glad he enjoyed his first day! NZ school uniforms look much more fun than British ones.

Yep, I love the Wilbur pix. Now, that boy is ready for school. LOL.

The very idea of the book swap fills me with anxiety. Glad all y'all are having fun with it though :)
Wilber and uniform... V cute! Some mom days are just perfect, aren't they Megan?

Lovely, lovely photos of Wilbur on his first day of school, Megan! What a cutie he is. I'm doing the Xmas Swap for the first time this year and I really must put together a wishlist soon!

Super cute pics of Wilbur and Hooray to the first day of school. His uniform is the best. I particularly love the hat!

#71 Yay! Plus I love the hat too. His colours look similar to Cassie's - red polo shirts with black bottoms and bottle green cardies (it's awfully christmassy to be honest :/).

Holy Ninja, Batman! Too precious : ).

"Look, Mommy - a boy super hero!" - B

LOVE the pictures.

Utterly meltiverous. My AAAAAAWWWWWWWWWer broke from overuse!

So glad he loved school. What a ham!

>73 EBT1002: Camera shy, perhaps not so much
lol, Ellen. He actually was very very camera shy, right up to the point where he got his school uniform. From that point onwards he became a camera-hog!

>74 SandDune: haha, I was concerned about how he would go, but it all turned out so so so so well. Fingers corssed that it continues. Day 2 report: "I love school" (again)
yes!

>75 souloftherose: Hi Heather, our school uniforms all differ. Personally, I dislike the red/green combination. It is too Christmassy for me! (which is odd, seeing as I love Christmas)

>76 msf59: Hi Mark- he is ready for school, you are right. I ha my reservations, as his first 2 school visits were written off on account of him falling over immediately before entering the classroom. These annoyingly timed events threatened to ruin it for him, and so us !

>77 mckait: Hi Kath! I hang on to those perfect-mum days :) They are more about how I react to the kids and how busy we have kept, I have found.
Do not attempt to bring any anxiety into your life through LT Xmas Book Swaps, Kath! I forbid it ;)

>78 rosalita: Wishlist up soon!? Yes!! Me too, you have reminded me of my threat to get on to it immediately!

>79 Cobscook: Hi! Great hats, huh!? They have to wear them first and last term (Summer months). We have a sting in our sun rays here, so we are super aware of sun protection.

>80 BekkaJo: Bekka, you stole my sentiment :)
(it's awfully christmassy to be honest :/)
I feel the same!

>81 lit_chick: haha, you have it in a nutshell.
His story today was about a Ninja Turtle, yesterday's was about Spider man (the entire story reads as follows: This is Spiderman. He is in the car".)

>82 London_StJ: Yay! B has hit the nail on the head, W will be proud to think he is seen in such high regard from a fellow fellow :)

>83 richardderus: RD- you know how to make a mum proud! Thanks. :)

>84 tiffin: hi Tui, you sneaked in there :)
I am so glad he loved school too (is loving!?). I think it has helped a lot that there are about a third of the students in his class as it's the beginning of term now, and his is a new class of brand newbies. His school visits took place in an existing classroom FULL of 5 year olds!

I finished The Luminaries!
Phew. Just in time for the Booker announcement tomorrow(ish). It was a long and involved novel, and I am now gunning for Catton to get the prize.

Here are my Booker ratings:

1: The Luminaries by Elanor Catton and
2: TransAtlantic tied for first place with 4.5 stars each
3: The Testament of Mary by Colm Toibin 4 stars
4: Harvest by Jim Crace 3.5 stars
5: A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki and
6: The Spinning Heart both lag seriously behind with 2.5 stars each.

As a prediction goes, it will fail miserably seeing as TransAtlantic didn't even make the shortlist. But my opinion counts too, right?

The Luminaries wins!
Hoorah!

And you called it, Megan!

I can't wait to read The Luminaries!

Also can't wait to read The Luminaries. It went back to the library last week unread because I had no time. Am hoping for a Christmas read : ).

I will be getting The Luminaries shortly Megan as I suggested the library purchase it. That means I'm first in line. Yay!

Oh my, that Wilbur. What an adorable little ham:)

Congrats for The Luminaries. It sounds like such a good book. Maybe, I can bookhorn it in, sometime in December.

Tui: it just so happened that the judging panel and I agreed on the top book- this time! I only just got in though, the decision was announced at 9.30am NZ time, and I put in my prediction just after 8am.

RD: I cant wait for you to read it either. I particularly loved hearing place names that are so familiar to me, and that I have visited...Hokitika, the port towns of Lyttelton, Port Chalmers and Akaroa, Kaniere, Kumara.....local fiction rules! This prize will do a lot for NZ literature, I am sure. A much needed boost.

Nancy: It might need a holiday to get you through it! It is quite long at 830 pages or so. The last 150 pages go very fast though as the chapters are very short are sectioned into "books" that have a title page of their own, so the pages seem to fly. Plus, it is very exciting towards the end.

Bonnie: Nice job on putting in the word to purchase The Luminaries......it should get you not just first dibs at borrowing it, but a prize of your own?

Mark: It is a very differently formatted book, mark. The story and the writing are amazing (the writing in particular), but the distinctive way it is laid out is a real talking point I reckon.
I accept your congratulations, even if I had very little to do with its success ;)

>95 LovingLit: .it should get you not just first dibs at borrowing it, but a prize of your own?

I can't begin to count all the books I've suggested that they buy Megan, starting with Wolf Hall in 2009 before it won the Booker haha. Then when they added the feature "Suggest a Purchase" well, what could I do but comply with their wishes? Again and again and again....

Bonnie - You know, I have seen that feature on my libraries website...maybe I need to use it more! We are very well served though, so I haven't had much cause to. Most of the ones I haven't been able to get have been older ones.

Excellent stuff - have the Hardback on order from BD ...... should still get it despite the expected surge of orders now :)

Not sure if its my thing, if not will be my Mum's ...

Megan - I use that "Suggest a Purchase" feature a lot and most suggestions come through. I'm usually asking for translated YA or children's fiction or foreign language dvds.
Still basking in the Booker glow, was scared we'd jinx it. Her acceptance speech was great.

My copy of The Luminaries will be here Friday. Yippee whoopee whee!

Alex- I wasnt sure if it was going to be my thing either. I am not traditionally a fan of historic fiction. But this is a little more than that. And as you say, you can always pass it on!

Kerry- her speech was wonderful wasn't it? She sounded emotional throughout, but all throughout, so maybe that is just the way she sounds? I loved what she said about books value vs their worth. What a gal!

RD- hooray! Go you, clear your schedule for some serious reading. No pressure, but Darryl read it in three days....
*smooch*

I expect it will only take ME TWO days. Nyah! But they'll be two days in 2019. Sigh. Lots to do.

That one sounds good... but in my current state, is going to go on hold. To moody and too busy right now. I have added it to my wishlist though, so I don't forget to put it on my list for possibly next year.
I have heard so many good things..

I hope all is well in Megan land :)

Megan- Have you read Paul Thomas? He is supposed to be a very popular NZ crime author. I saw him on a recommended crime-reading list and you know I like my crime, the darker the better.

Good call on The Luminaries! It will definitely boost the New Zealand book cred!

That's exciting news about The Luminaries, Megan. I'd planned on reading it, but maybe it needs to be sooner rather than later.

So Behind! You've had a birthday and gotten a lot older before I could wish you happy (but I do!), and you're apparently more and more mobile. Yay! Lenny on a big chair and Wilbur on a big horse! And Wilbur in uniform and back in school. Lot's going on with you. I'm very glad that you'll soon be walking well!
Meanwhile, I just put The Luminaries on my Kindle and will jump in just as soon as I finish the last 200+ pages of my Civil War book. I can hardly wait!

Wow! Good pick with The Luminaries. On my WL... but 830 pages... maybe a Christmas present to be read next year.

Cute schoolboy. It's just beginning ;-) Enjoy!

Megan, I just learned through an article in our university's employee newsletter thingy that Eleanor Catton is an alumna of our very own Iowa Writers' Workshop! I thought you might like to read the article: Writer's Workshop alumna Catton wins 2013 Booker Prize

RD: the benefit of a long book is that you get to be reading it for longer! To get your money worth, you'd be best to take at least a week (if not more) to read it I reckon:)

Kath: Hi ! Hearing so many good things about a book doesn't mean that it will be the same for you :| I know you know that just as much as I do!

Mark: I have never heard of Paul Thomas, but that is no surprise as I dont read crime fiction, really at all!? I even tune out when I hear book discussions on the radio about crime....sorry, that's just the way I roll :)

Heidi: if it gets the Prime minister talking about literature (instead of how his share portfolio is performing) then it's already been good for NZ literature!

Joe: just another of those books to read sooner rather than later huh? I have a heap of them too :)

Peggy: Civil War book? Sounds long, but I have been thinking to read a book about that as my knowledge is sorely lacking in that area.
You are well caught up here anyway, so that is good! First week of school almost out, and sprints are still high. I am so pleased for him (and me to be honest).

Cee: so many new things to encounter now that we have a school boy in the household. Every time I pick him up I see this big kid, in uniform and think- wow, my baby boy is growing up! How can he be that big!?
:)

Rosalita: thanks for the link- I went straight to it to read and then ignored all my visitors here- haha, woops. I learned that Elanor Catton grew up in Christchurch- that would be my town! And she spent some time in your town also, as you say. That means we can both claim her, as can Canada....man, she is all over the world!

What a wonderful opening photo!

Wilbur is too cute in those pictures Megan!!! I'm still grinning & I've been reading the rest of the thread for 5 minutes! Between that & him trying the horse, you must be so pleased!!! :)

How goes the hobbling / walking now?

*smooch* for a Kiwi Friday and last day of Wilby's first week in school!

aaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww

Fast drive by....so glad a Kiwi won the Booker - not for the first time, right?

Megan, I heard on the news here tonight that NZ has given the North and South islands some new Maori names. That seems very cool, although judging by the way the names were pronounced on the radio news, I'm guessing they are going to be a bear to spell!

Linda: thanks! That was our recent holiday to the West Coast.

Tina: hehe, he is a dag isn't he? (that is a local-ish word, do you know what it means?)
He has had a ball at school, and my fears were totally unfounded thank goodness. He wasn't a wreck at all, and managed really well!

RD: thanks RD- we went out for tea as a family to celebrate the first week. A Southern Vietnamese restaurant was happy to accommodate us at 5pm for an early dinner. It was wonderful. We had dumplings, (of course), fried rice, satay beef and honeyed pork

Prue: We have won the Booker once before! Keri Hulme with The Bone People, which I loved. But I am sure you already know that? It is mentioned here every time the prize is mentioned :)

Julia: I hadn't heard that! But I just looked it up and see that it is the original names that are being "formalised".....I had heard that my island, the South Island, is referred to by Maori as Te Wai Pounamu. It means the waters of greenstone. But it must have been way back in my mind that the North Island is Te Ika a Maui. That one means the fish of Maui, as the Maori legend has it that the South Island was a canoe that Maui (a demi-god) fished from, and he caught the North Island!
They aren't actually too hard to pronounce or spell, as the Maori language has its sounds set in stone, if you get my drift.

I love the new formalised) names for the Islands - so much better than the dreary North/South common usage .....

Thanks for telling us what the island names mean, Megan. I don't think the radio story mentioned that, or at least I wasn't paying attention when they did. It was in the morning as I was getting ready for work, and I am (ahem) not at my best at that time. :-)

Your Vietnamese dinner sounds wonderful. Now I'm hungry ...

*drool* I like Vietnamese...when I move there, will you show me where it is?

>118 roundballnz: yes! North and South is about as exciting as our main highway, Highway 1, isn't it? The other option for the South Island was Te Waka a Maui, the canoe of Maui, which is also cool.

>119 rosalita: the morning rush is not the best time for the taking in of information, I hear you. Whenever there is something I want to listen to the kids usually time it to the second to make a grunting noise or something, so I know now never to have high hopes for hearing :)

>120 richardderus: hi RD- actually, if when you come here I will take you to the Vietnamese next door to the one we went to last night, called Little Saigon. It has a much broader menu, even though it doesn't do the yummo dumplings, it is better overall. And rather than show you where it is, I believe I will escort you there, AND pay the bill! How's that for an invitation?

Megan, good to hear that Wilbur had a great first week. I always feel sort of sorry for the new entrant boys. At playcentre or kindy they are almost always to be found outside going about their 'work' with great sophistication in their play...then on to school where they are trapped in a classroom for hours on end.

Anyway in case you haven't come across it, I want to link you to Annabel Langbein's ultimate choc cake recipe that I've now made twice and family agree that it is a great cake. It's one of those 'throw everything in the mixer and give it a blast' recipes (my favourite kind). I don't bother with icing, use ordinary flour +b.p. & took yoghurt option.

And seeing I'm hailing from scandal-ridden Auckland, I'll now crawl back under my rock.

That cake looks divine ........

...tastes divine too. I'm only suggesting it to Megan cos it's so easy to make as well.

>121 LovingLit: Irresistible! *blattblattbeepboophonk* Hello, Flightless Airlines?

Kerry: looking at the ingredients, that appears to be the recipe that I use now! I got my recipe via my sister who got it from a friend, but it has obviously originated from Annabel Langbein :) Funny! It is a fantastic recipe isn't it? It is my go to cake for every birthday. And you can pour it into muffin tins for muffins....and the kids hardly go any more batty just from the strong coffee in it (Im sure?!)
I know what you mean about boys and school- W spent most of his time outside at kindy either inventing things with pipes and wood, or having running races with his friend Oscar. His best insight was that he didn't like the teachers because they always tried to talk to him while he was busy playing. Ha!

The reception class (new entrants) he is in has modelled itself on a kindy style room, open plan, play stations, shared pens/pencils, cushions etc. All designed to make the transition painless. And the 50 minute lunchtime helps, Im sure. Anyway, it seems to be working for him so far.

Alex: I can vouch for the cake. It is a hit. Tastes great the next day, if you are organised enough to make it in time. :)

RD: Flightless Airlines
Interesting fact: the NZ Air Force has the Kiwi (a flightless bird) as its emblem. Ha! Did you try calling them to get you here? They probably have a boat you could stow away on?

"Royal Kiwi Air Force Nautical Service, how may I assist you?" Heh.

Well, after all the air force is aero-nautical, right?

Another one chiming in with aching looks at Kerry's cake. On a diet so I will have to desist for the present.

Love that you replied to Prue ...."We have won the Booker once before!".......I can't imagine a Brit doing that about a book award. A great week to be a Kiwi.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Yum -- cake looks delicious!

Here's what I'm baking today (it's Callia's favorite):


recipe here: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spiced-Sweet-Potato-Cake-with-Brown...

Happy week to you, Megan! School still going well?

Hi Megan. A bit late chiming in that I'm glad Catton won the Booker. I haven't read it yet but The Luminaries was first choice for so many LTers whose taste I trust. It may be the first book I read in 2014.

>127 richardderus: yeah, good luck with that :)

>128 rosalita: I suppose they are aero-nautical, seeing as they fly over the sea from time to time!

>129 PaulCranswick: Howdy Paul,
I can't imagine a Brit doing that about a book award.
Probably as the Brits have won so many book awards, they are probably either blaze (that'd be blah-zay, not blayze....) or indifferent. You literary Brits and your history, we young Kiwis cant compete.

>130 AMQS: Oh boy, Anne, that cake does look delicious. Your yams...are they sweet potatoes?

This is what a sweet potato is to me, known as kumara here, the Maori name. Purple skinned, golden and yellow.

School today not so good. A small issue with which play area is for which age group before school today. Seeing as we have played in all the playgrounds since years ago (being local, we have used the play areas in holidays and after school times) I think W wasn't sure about the rules. I said he could....the kids there said he couldn't...he got upset....I got hurt on his behalf and sad that he was sad. Eeek, what a minefield!

>131 EBT1002: Hi Ellen- I wouldnt have read it if I had known what it was "about"....just another reason to read out of your comfort zone from time to time :) The book is so much more than what it it about.

Oh I'm sorry about the playground confusion -- that's hard. I know our elementary schools keep their pre-K and kindergarten playgrounds separate from those for older kids for the safety of the younger ones.

I'm still not really clear on the difference between sweet potatoes and yams, but I use the garnet variety with dark red skins and orange flesh:

Anne, I was just now posting on your thread :)
Those sweet potato look like our ones, yams are bobbly bumpy things to me, and much smaller than the pictured tubers. :)

Oh poor Wilbur. And poor you Megan. It's so hard not to feel sad when your child's feelings have been hurt. I had a very hard time with that when my two were small. Of course, they usually bounce back and I'm sure Wilbur has but it is hard. My library is taking too long to "process" The Luminaries.

*waving* at Megan

BOOK 88.
The Luminaries by Elanor Catton

When this book arrived in the post, I was so impressed by its presence. It is big, solid and beautiful to look at and hold. I was so excited to get started on it. Every time I was to pick it up to read after that first time, I was excited to get back to it.

In my experience, it isn't often that a long book can hold my attention throughout. But this one did. I think one of the main ways it did, was by having the many characters repeat their experience of events that other characters had already been through. This way we not only get a more thorough grasp of events, but we get each persons side of the story and therefore to know each character well by the end. All good stuff. And then there is the story itself. It unfolds so intricately! Details emerge here and there, and our picture is formed slowly but assuredly of what has transpired. We are tantalised by facts and clues, but not taunted by what they allude to. I have heard descriptions of Catton's writing being remarkably restrained, I think so too. It is a collection of words beautifully put together. 4.5 stars

Hi Megan- Sorry about Wilbur, poor little guy but I am happy you loved the Luminaries. Everybody seems to love that one.

BOOK 89.
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

****spoilers, of course****
It pays to not know what a book is about before reading it. I found the gradual unfolding of events that led to Nigeria civil war in 1967 were so much more powerful as, like the people living their lives amongst it, I had no idea what was about to happen. After the author cleverly introduced us to her cast of characters, got us emotionally invested, I was genuinely shocked when troops moved in, when families were displaced, and people hurt killed lost broken and ruined.

But this book isn't just about war. It is about people's lives. Their relationships and families. It is about politics and power. The haves and the have-nots in society. To me it was a wonderful window into a country and culture I know very little about. And it is primarily for doing that so well, that I loved it. 4.5 stars.

>135 brenzi: It's so hard not to feel sad when your child's feelings have been hurt.
I know. Talk about mamma bear syndrome! I objected to another teacher becoming officious in her explanation of why junior kids aren't allowed in that play area, I had only wanted to know what the rules were.

>136 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. Nice to see you dipping your toes in her on the way past! I have caught up with my reviews now, so feel very happy with myself.

>138 msf59: Hi Mark! Wilbur (of course??!!) came right straight away, so the teacher said. And here I was worrying all day (yes, all day) about him. Sheesh, mothers are a funny breed aren't they!?

Now....what shall I read now. I finished Half of a Yellow Sun so quickly, I haven't had time to line the next one up! I'm thinking The Empty Family by Colm Toibin.

I love that chocolate cake recipe - must make! Waiting to earn enough points at my bookshop so that I can get The Luminaries gratis. Shouldn't be long! It is a stonker, though, isn't it? Tantalising review, megan..

Wow, 2 great books in a row! And the Colm Toibin one sounds like it'll be great too. Very happy to read that you loved The Luminaries.

Sorry to read about W but glad he bounced back. We had a similar thing in Switzerland (hard not to - the school there was one MASSIVE list of rules) and it was in the way it was handled by the teacher on duty. Mind you it is hard work being a teacher on duty {she says switching hat}.

>141 PrueGallagher: Waiting to earn enough points at my bookshop so that I can get The Luminaries gratis.
Just another reason to get shopping!? I lent The Luminaries to my dad today on the promise that he would use a bookmark instead of folding the pages. He usually teases me and says he will fold each page as he goes, and place the book open- pages face down *gasp*, but he knows I collect the Booker Prize winners, and that the edition I have is probably/possibly first edition, so was very well-behaved for once. We shall see...

>142 cushlareads: hat-switching is necessary when you have role-switched! I am sensitive to perceived criticisms (now we all know where W gets it from!) and the teacher launching straight into OSH guff got on my goat.....as it were :)
The Colm Toibin one is beautiful. I love the font, and the cover and the words are pretty good too :)

Megan, wonderful reviews of The Luminaries and Half of a Yellow Sun. The former is on my WL (looking so forward to it), and I'm glad you enjoyed HoaYS as much as I did : ).

Phew! I had a LOT of catching up to do. So glad you stopped by my thread. I hadn't realized I had lost yours. I lost you somewhere around the surgery. Glad you're getting around more normally. :)
Great review of The Luminaries. I have it on my Kindle, hoping to get started on it as soon as I finish the several books I have going at the moment.

I am fascinated by the school start dates. I think it's great. My boys have late in the year birthdays and were bored to death by the time they could start school at nearly 6 years old. The NZ system works out well for my oldest. He will be placed in year 11, which effectively shortens his high school time by nearly a year. He is very happy about it.

#139 So glad you liked this - I thought it was amazing too. I've been meaning to read more of her work since... just never quite getting to it!

*swooping through, trailing smooches*

>144 lit_chick: hi there- Half of a Yellow Sun came so highly recommended, I was wary of it when I started. But it did not take long for me to get pulled into the story. It was a wonderful story! I am still thinking about it.

>145 nittnut: Hello future-local. In NZ we have 2 degrees of separation, not 6, you'll get used to it ;) We also have a lot of relatively cheap and high quality wine, amongst other things. Currently I sample a Five Flax Merlot Malbec- $10 and delicious! I think you might like it here.
The school systems are a phenomena aren't they? Thank goodness it is not a world-wide system- how boring would that be? A year off high school and a new start- that does sound appealing!

>146 BekkaJo: I have only read Purple Hibiscus of hers. I have The Thing Around your Neck sitting on my shelves. And of course I want to sample Americanah.

>147 richardderus: Hi RD! I return all smooches post haste. Although, with mail deliveries being reduced to 3 days now instead of 6 (in cities, rural will be 5 reduced from 6), you might have to wait for tomorrow before yours arrive....

3-day mail delivery. How...words fail me. "Ridiculous" is pale and weak-kneed compared to what I really feel.

Right-wingers are a vicious lot, aren't they.

I'm happy to see that you have had some good reads :)

Minefield. Yes indeed. Parenting is hard, Mom-ing is even harder. Sorry to tell you that it just gets harder. Hang in there though. You are very good at it!

I am thinking of you heading into spring, and for the first time in my life I think I am a bit envious of that... I am cold all the time these days and looming winter.. even todays chilly forecast is daunting. I think I've lost my mind!

Only 4½ stars for The Luminaries? Shame on you. ;-)

>149 richardderus: everything is electronic these days....I barely get mail at all. It wouldn't actually bother me if my power bill arrived on a Wednesday instead of a Tuesday.
A few years back NZ Post put up postage saying it was because parcel post had increased thanks to Trade Me, our internet buy/sell site. Then they put postage up again saying the reason is lack of postal volume. SHeesh, I dont care that they put it up, but lying about the reasons? That doesn't sit well with me.

>150 mckait: hi Kath- Spring is a lovely time. I was sick of cold winter too, and dont envy you coming into it.
I can only guess at the coming dramas and worries of having older kids. I cant think about it or I will become overwhelmed. *one day at a time*

>151 kidzdoc: Darryl, I had hoped that you wouldn't have to see that. I am sorry :)

Enticing review. I have my fingers crossed that I can get my hands on my library copy of The Luminaries Megan. I haven't looked forward to a book so much since....Bring Up the Bodies. I also loved Half a Yellow Sun.

>153 brenzi: oh yes- you should look forward to The Luminaries. The author has appeared on many interviews since inning the Booker, she speaks so well, and seems very sweet :)

Wilbur's my latest Lego figure. I love her!

What spring? Wha5t summer? It is only 16 degrees centigrade in Melbourne today, with a stiff wind straight from the polar icecaps. ****bbbbrrrrr****. Still, glad to see slightly cooler weather in NSW and its positive impact on bushfire control..

>155 LovingLit: Is that a librarian Lego figure??? I want one!

>155 LovingLit: How adorable! Love her hair.

>156 PrueGallagher: 16° is a lovely spring day. It's 9° right now, and on the way to 13° for our high...perfect, blissful, joyous fall weather!

Prue: only 16 degC? That sounds pretty good to me...well, I wouldn't want it much cooler....but I could handle 16 :)
Even though I am not a news follower I have caught wind of the bushfires over in NSW. Sounds scary indeed, and such a waste seeing as some of them are from arsonists.

Nora: That is a Lego figure! They come in non-transparent packages so you never know which one you are going to get. I bought a heap on sale for the present box, but couldn't resist choosing one for me to open :) I got lucky!!

RD: I love her hair too- it comes off, conveniently?!#?!
You must love fall/autumn. Getting cooler, relief from those hot sticky days. I used to label myself a winter lover, but now I can say I am a summer lover. It isn't often too hot here in summer so I can relish the outdoor life. Kids love outside, I love them being outside, it's a win win.

In other news *PANIC* I have left my bag with my book in it at my mums place. She texted me when I was only a km or so away saying I had left my shoes....my thoughts were "shoes? who needs shoes, Ill just get them later". ANd then when I got home I realised she meant I had left the whole bag there, with BOOKS in it.
If she had texted books instead of shoes I would have gone straight back! *sob*
Ah well, I shall have to do a 90 minute round trip and go collect it all tomorrow. There is nothing else for it.

159 > I have it on good authority ( a lego collector of figurines - just need to see their desk) you can tell whats in them you just need to be prepared to 'feel them up' so to speak :)

Book Panic .... hmmm Take one very large piece of chocolate cake & breathe ....

Alex- I have tried "feeling them up", as you so succinctly put it, and to me they all feel the same!?! Although, the librarians hair is quite distinctive....gosh, I hope no one reads this out of context, they might think me (and you!) odd :)

The book crisis has been solved, sort of, I merely had to take a chill-pill, and start a new book. So now I am reading The Winter of our Discontent by John Steinbeck. I absolutely loved that in the movie Reality Bites, Ethan Hawke's character has his answer machine message "Hello, you have reached the winter of our discontent." Some thought it pretentious pap, bu me? I think it's gold!

I liked that moment, too, Muriel. Yeah, small-minded unsouled goofballs thought it was pretentious, but hey who cares what the Lesser Beings thing anyway.

The Winter of Our Discontent is a very interesting book. I hope you'll enjoy it.

RD- lesser beings, heh, indeed.
You intrigue me with the description of "interesting", it's neither scathing nor an endorsement. Hm, what am I to make of that? I hope to enjoy it too, which I am, so far.

BOOK 90
Heat and Dust by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Booker winner 1975

The lives of two women are laid out in this novel. Olivia, and her step-grand daughter. The former who lived in India in the 1920s and the latter who followed her there to try and piece together her legacy. It is a short legacy, the book being only 180 pages long, and so not much depth is found in either woman's story.

In that one period of time, 1923, the scene is set very nicely. We get a detailed snapshot of an ex-pat's life in India. So for that I appreciated it. They parallel story of Olivia's descendant is clever and equally restrained. So all in all, nice, but not enough to sink my teeth into. 3 stars.

Just seeing if you have got power and are ok! But it looks like you are. It's extremely windy up here again this afternoon and I saw on Stuff that Christchurch had quite a lot of suburbs without power.

I laughed about your book crisis. Have you adjusted yet? Actually it looks like you have already finished the substitute.

Hi Cushla! The book I just finished was the book, The Winter of our Discontent was the sub :)
Power on, but the lines are blowing! Driving back from collecting said book (and shoes) from North Canterbury, the wind was so strong, I stoped at a give way, and the car sounded like it was being sand-blasted by grit from the road! Just gusty here, not scary.

Book Haul!

Colony by Hugo Wilcken
Resilience by Anne Deveson (nf)
The Known World by Edward P Jones (Pulitzer 2004)
Zoology by Ben Dolnick
The Caged Virgin by Ayaan Hersi Ali
How to Gaze at the Southern Stars by Richard Hall (I collect the series)
Shipwrecks by Akira Yoshimura (as rated 5 stars by myself a while ago)
The Mermaid and the Drunks by Ben Richards (about Chile)
A Recent Martyr by Valerie Martin (Orange Prize winner 2003)

All for $3 *happy*

Three BUCKS?! Amazing! You're an excellent book shopper.

So how's THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT?

Great loot!! I have The Known World here and have owned it for about 5 years. No idea where it is.

Have you read Property, also by Valerie Martin? I really enjoyed it.

Glad the wind is ok. Am watching the basketball hoop on our trampoline with interest.

Bizarre that your weather down there is so different, its like are are in two different reality streams ......

Oh, I see. In capitals now. I read on with trepidation.....

I am an excellent book shopper! Thanks for noticing. :) With my budget, and NZ's book prices, I must scour high and low for bargains of the highest order. That means op shops (second hand /charity stores) refuse centers, garage sales and book swap places.

eta: this message was directed at RD

Cushla: I haven't read Valerie Martin before, or even heard of her actually. The cover looks soppy as, but I was drawn by the Orange Prize winner sticker.
Weather watch? All good still. We have a big family reunion tomorrow (lovely other's side). It has been planned for an age. In fact there were group emails going about months ago about who was going to bring what, if it was fair to "out-of-towners" to have to bring a salad when they mightn't have access to a proper kitchen blah blah blah. I didn't feel inclined to partake in the lengthy planning on who would bring what so deleted all the emails (and so did my lovely other). I knew that closer to the time I would just find out what I was supposed to bring and then bring it.
All in the name of "spare me the labour pains, I just want the baby"
Didn't go down well with the MiL...."Doesn't Megan want to come?"
*sigh*

Maybe the gale-force winds will blow the whole thing over? haha, I am not that bah humbug.

Alex: yes, NZ has that thing. That thing where it is beautiful in one spot, then over the hill (mountain range, whatever) it is torrential. It catches the unawares all the time.

Never know you might be lucky might blow MIL out of town .... :)

#126: Megan - it sure is a great cake. I usually make a buttermilk chocolate cake when I do make one but will probably switch to this one. My current baking treat is lemon madeleines, they last about 2 mins after they come out of the oven.

Still to read Heat & Dust, I have it here somewhere.

I have the latest 'Ginger' book home from the library - How to listen to classical music by Davina Caddy.

Cake is usually good. Any kind! Reading.. I have to do that. Want to actually...

Megan- You are always reading something interesting, must be the reason I like you, among other things of course.
Yah, for Steinbeck! I re-read that one last year for the Steinbeckathon. Nice book haul! I loved The Known World. It's a worthy choice!

>173 roundballnz: haha! Probably not, winds have eased now. Lenny looking under the weather today, poor little lad had a little vomit this morning, so we are just deciding if he should stay home.

>174 avatiakh: I love using buttermilk in recipes! I usually buy a local one, Karikaas, and use it in an Indonesian Chicken recipe. The leftover I use for Ginger and Buttermilk scones which have been labelled the best scones ever tasted my a friend of mine. They are good.

>175 mckait: Cake is good, you are right. I wonder why I only ever make them on birthdays, they are equally good for any occasion really.

>176 msf59: Yay! Mark admires my books :)
Steinbeck is my newest favourite author. I dont attach the "fave" label liberally, so you know he's held in high regard around here if I say that.

You are the book shopper goddess!! Great haul for $3.

Sorry about the family get together stress.....that is always the worst.

Cake and Books. I could live here.
I admire your book haul too - I don't think I knew about even one of them.
Sorry that Lenny is unwell. Hope y'all have an easy night.
I'm off to start The Luminaries NOW!

Hope you're having a stupendously good time at the family do and hope even more that Lenny has stopped vomiting and is looking a bit better.

#179 Peggy, I hope you love it!

Ginger and buttermilk scones?? Yum! Do you share the recipe? If not, I'll just add it to the "tour guide" list. :)

>178 Cobscook: family get together- I can report it all went well. Possibly aided by my free consumption of strong beer laced with ginger wine.....certainly not aided by Lenny's x 2 vomit and large nappy-buster incident :) All in the name of having kids. haha, it definitely made the non-kid-havers at the BBQ sit up and look! I barely batted an eyelid.

>179 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! The only ones I knew about were the prize winners and the Star-Gazing one that is part of a publisher series I am collecting. I had thought I knew the entire series, but it seems they are adding more as they go. Financially sensible I suppose, but a surprise to me none the less. Either way, I only buy second hand, so a bargain for me :)

>180 cushlareads: haha Cushla, Lenny was fine the whole time. Til after a few sausages. (foolish? Moi?) Then as luck would have it, we were about to head outside for a mega-family photo and I went first. Lenny spewed on the way out, I caught most of it in my hands (and was pleased to do so to save the carpet- you know as a parent how that happens) and we were lucky enough to get in the last frame of the family shot! #familyphotostory

>181 nittnut: Yes- I can share the recipe for sure. Just give me five minutes to search my less than organised recipe book
eta: make that half an hour, need to get the kiddos in bed :)

That's such a great story. I have not yet had the pleasure of catching child spew in my hands - you go!! I hope the MIL (or whatever you are calling her) noted your commitment to family events.

Mine are outside on the trampoline. I am sick of watching them do stupid things on it that may well break it so I've moved room...overall it's been a great thing to have but it drives me crazy sometimes!

Hi Cushla- glad you can appreciate the #familyspewstory. Adults without kids can scarcely comprehend the stories that include being glad to catch spew in hands....anyway. Trampolines! I guess now is not a good time to tell you that I split my lip very badly doing a superman impression as a kid? haha, really- I still have the scar!

I have been having deep philosophical discussions with myself recently about what I want to do with my life. And, my lovely other (bless him) came up with the brief I was searching for after hearing my 20 second soliloquy. Believe me, I have been musing over the question for months and months. And he solves my issues in one fell swoop. I guess that's why I love him. So, now I want to go back to university and do Honors, in geography (as that is the subject I got furthest in, and so the way I can get momentum fastest) on.....the geography of social justice....I'm talking human rights, equality, justice, consumption, economics, the very way we live our lives. As he so kindly pointed out, I am unlikely to change peoples minds about things, but I am mainly hoping to promote ideas about other ways to exist. About promoting alternative ways, or even that there is an alternative.
Anyway, at the very least, I have a discussion option with the head of department at Geography Dept at the Uni of Canterbury....and a student loan to look into! We'll see. Watch this space.

After being miles behind what better place to catch up then your place Megan.

Playground contretemps; it sounds like the teacher is the one who should be in kindergarten not Wilbur.

The Luminaries; wading through it and I must say it is very, very long whilst being elegantly written and so much better than The Testament of Mary.

Half of a Yellow Sun; one of my favourites ever.

Geography; What a great idea. Good luck with that; hope it will help you find your way to Malaysia for a new visit!

Have a lovely Sunday evening.

Eeeeeeee!!! I'm really excited for you! (You know I am a perpetual student at heart, right?)

Megan, what a great idea to go back and study geography. As fate would have it, I got a double degree in History and Geography, and I focused both in the subject area of human rights and social justice. It's a very rich field, and well worth pursuing. Good luck to you!

Love the conversation between you and hub about the geography of social justice. Excited for you : ).

I'm so far behind Megan, but I did manage to get here in time to say congratulations on your new decision & life path! Good for you & hooray to your lovely other for being so supportive!

Nice new life path direction there .......

Applauding Megan for your good sense and for being so special and so you!
behind as always, but skimming through.... wishing you well....

Totally understand the spew story. Hands wash easier than carpets do.

Geography of social justice is an *outstanding* idea for a course of study. Very much want to read your dissertation.

*smooch* for the future Dr. Maudie.

Had to LOL at the kid spew story! Us moms know how catching spew can be considered a victory!

Exciting decision to go back to school for geography. I did a certificate course in Geographic Information Systems about two years ago. I wonder if you will study any GIS in your program?

Oh my goodness! Catching spew definitely takes second place to the decision to head back to school. One of my dear friends was a geography major, but I don't think she had any ideas about social justice. GOOD for you!!!!!

>186 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul- there is a lot more meat to The Luminaries than there was to The Testament of Mary, isn't there?
It wont be geography that gets me finding Malaysia, it'll be cheap air-fares!

>187 cushlareads: Cushla, I'd love nothing more than to study courses of interest for the rest of my life. I can always just have the student loan written off like the boy-racers do, right? Or move to Australia and just ignore it....I know a few people who have done that :)

>188 rosalita: thanks so much- I appreciate your endorsement of my chosen field of study. Follow your passion, so they say, and I intend to give that a go.

>189 lit_chick: It is funny- I always stop reading books and talk to him about bits i find interesting, it was one such pause in reading that started our conversation yesterday. I am re-reading (I think it's a re-read anyway) Resilience by Anne Deveson, in it she is meeting with Economist and human rights, social justice advocate Robert Theobald. His ideas as relayed in the book were what sparked my synapses, and my lovely others' too it seems!

>190 TinaV95: Hi Tina- my idea was very nebulous last night and feels even more so today....but as I have announced it I must follow through! *bites nails*

>191 roundballnz: yes Alex, maybe. We will see what the cost of proposed study will be.

>192 mckait: thanks Kath! My fellow 75ers are so supportive of me - (((hugs)))

>193 richardderus: hold up there a minute with your Dr Maudies, RD. I have had a teensy idea so far, that is all. I hope that is not ALL all, but all for now anyway! EEEK, I'm scared.
Although, now that you mention it....I can see myself being called Doc...it sounds better than Mizz which I flatly refuse, and Miss- even worse. I usually try to have "no title" on forms, but some computers dont like that.

>194 Cobscook: Us moms know how catching spew can be considered a victory!
I know! haha, I was very pleased with myself! And what I didn't get, the dog later ate up- GROSS but true :|
I have heard of GIS but never had to use it in my original Geography degree.

>195 LizzieD: Thank you! I love the thought of becoming a legitimised thinker. Thought as a pursuit is so much more socially accepted when conducted in an institution.....with a $2000 price-tag. Funny that.

I think we need to revive the aulde englisshe titles as alternatives to the uneuphonious Mizz and the purseylipped Miss: "Goody Apse" has a ring, eh what? Short for "Goodwyf," also "Goodwer".

Goody goody, a new old title. I will take either Doctor, or Sista as a ring to it....

Sister Maude. Oh my heck, yes!

Hooray for finding a direction (excuse) for going back to school. :) I think geography of social justice sounds like a book title. GEOGRAPHY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE by Docta Sista Maude PhD, etc.

I remember jumping on the trampoline at my grandma's house when I was a kid. I was probably 7 or 8 and my uncles are only 10-12 years older than me, so high school age. We would get on the (netless) tramp and they would jump off the roof of the house and bounce us sky-high. Once my younger brother flew clean off and into a bush. No damage, amazingly enough.

Spew was a topic at our house this morning. Apparently on Friday the kid who sits next to my youngest at school spewed all over his desk. All weekend, Eli has been harboring a fear that the same will happen to him. He really didn't want to go to school today. We convinced him that kids about to spew don't usually feel like eating large breakfasts, and that all he needed to do if he felt unwell, was mention it to the teacher. He's off. We'll see how it goes.

Jenn, as a matter of fact Geography and Social Justice IS a book, and I have it in my catalog. It was one of my university textbooks for a class of the same name. But I bet Megan could do him one better!

RD: sis-TA Maude, thank you very much. There'll be no "r" pronouncing around here.

Jenn: Docta Sista Maude PhD, etc.
I particularly like the etc. part! Could mean anything.

That tramploine story puts all us over-careful parents to shame. See- and nothing happened to you you say? Or your brother? Me neither, apart from a split lip that is. Oh, and my brother used to tape over the sharp edges of his skis, and practice his "aerials" ski-jumps that is, off the trampoline :)

Rosalita: hi there, now you know that I want that book. And on Book Depo it is $50 + something. EEEK going to Uni is going to cost me big-time I can already see it. I think I can use my birthday shoe voucher for books.....if things get that far that I actually enrol, I am going to lobby the givers of the voucher and get a change of purchase agreement :)

#202 by @Ireadthereforeiam> Megan, if you PM your address I would be delighted to send you my copy! Seriously.

Edited to add: I even know where it is on the shelves! :-D

Hi Megan- I admire the fact that you are considering going back to school. I know it's not an easy decision. My wife went back to school and got her degree, in her early 40s and it gave her life a big boost. I am wishing you all the luck, my friend.

Hey Megan - I absolutely applaud you for your decision to go back to Uni - and even more so for your choice of study. Perfect for you.

Wonderful decision to go back to school Megan. Of course I believe in life long learning so that's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. Also I think when you go to school at a somewhat advanced age, you have a real advantage because all your life experiences make you a much better student. Bravo!

>203 rosalita: Julia- surely you are kidding!? That is one lovely sounding book, with a hefty pricetag. I think I might be utterly unable to resist your offer! Maybe I could send it back to you when I am finished, and still have lots of spare change from the original price?

>204 msf59: Mark- I was nervous, but managed to call and secure an appointment with the head of post-grad geography. To discuss my eligibility for one, my grade-average for another and the possibility of PT study for three. If all three planets align, plus the issue of childcare for Little Lenny, we could have a plan.

>205THank you! I am getting so much support! I haven't even raised this plan with ANY real life friends yet (hypothesised on fb just before). EEEK. I am not sure about this, but it is certainly worth pursuing.

Pursue, Pursue, Docta Sista. Pursue!

>206 brenzi: hello! I remember the mature students when I was an 18 year old at University- they were the ones at the front, the ones without hangovers, the ones who asked lots of questions and consequently the ones with the A's. I know I will be exactly like them! (well, I can only hope about the A part)
I am unsure if the course of study is actually open to me, so am loathe to count my chickens, but I will find out asap.

>208 LizzieD: I cant keep up! (yippee- its so nice to have so many visitors)
Thanks Peggy! I shall pursue a hefty student loan anyway ;) And I am always pursuing knowledge. Along the way I'd like to also pursue a future income.

Crossing my fingers for you ...... I notice you mention not having the hangover :) *** scuttles out of the room - while hard objects are thrown ****

Dr. Sr. Maude's decision ratified. Full speed ahead to uni for counseling on available courses and times and costs. Yay!

Alex- I am sure I would have neither the time nor the inclination to drink if I was studying and parenting :)
I love having cause to use that phrase! Me and my lovely other often trot it out after a very elderly chimney sweep performed a huge sigh, and stated that women today have neither the time nor the inclination to do home baking. What he hadn't realised was that there had been a resurgence in home baking since he hit his 70's!

RD- jinx- posted at nearly the same time.
Yes, i head off to see the Geography Dept tomorrow for a chat. If the dude I want to see isn't there, I shall knock on the next door (and the next) until I find out what I want to know :) I am a sister (sorry, Sista) on a mission ;)

Oh my trampolines, the source of much worry! lol. Someone put in a sort of party place nearby. It is a huge warehouse sort of place ( so I hear ) filled with many trampolines. Sounds terrifying! I haven't heard of any death or dismemberment there so, I imagine that they are safe in reality than they are in my mind :)

Luck on your mission today?

Waiting anxiously to hear about your fact finding mission to the Geography Dept.....

213 > I think we saw a resurgence of home baking post Global recession thingy .... but have seen it wane again recently in the cities apart from the dreaded 'cupcake obsession' ..... me still am partial to home baking in the making & eating :)

Kath: trampolines are pretty harmless I reckon. Only a kids with a death-wish would act out too much on one. (maybe?)

Heidi: I went, I found an Honorary Research Fellow who was very helpful and gave me some names to contact and some things to ponder. He was hopeful that I would be eligible and enthusiastic to see me enrol, all good stuff.

Alex: baking at home is wonderful. And not just because you can limit the fake crap and preservatives that you put in. She says eating a piece of Donovan's Lime and Chilli dark chocolate....

My Grandad is very unwell. :(
It looks like he might die soon as is not conscious after what sounds like was a stroke. I am glad that my dad happened to be with me when he found out and we and my sister all shared stories and wine last night about our far-away father/grandfather. He is 96.

Hi Megan, my thoughts are with you at this sad time, we are in a similar situation with my wife's father who had a quite bad stroke in May, he is 90. We are hoping to get him home if we can but according to the doctor who saw him a couple of weeks ago he expects him to have another stroke at any time. Enjoy all the stories and the memories you have of him. Sending lots of love and hugs.

>219 LovingLit: Sending my warmest hugs and kindest loving thoughts to your family. Fortunate indeed that your father was there with you. *smooch*

Thanks John, and RD :)
I appreciate your thoughts and messages. We are still waiting on news, but as it is near midnight in Latvia now, I dont anticipate hearing anything til this evening (their morning).

Sorry to hear of your Grandad's illness and your sadness.
How wonderful for the family to be able to share remembrances of one they all love.
Comfort wished for you and family.

Going back to school is a wonderful thing when you are a true adult. Non-traditional maybe, but you learn so much more and love every minute of it. I speak from experience. Good luck.

I am very sorry to hear about your grandfather. Peace to you and your family.

Hi Megan,
Really sorry to read about your grandfather. I'm glad your Dad was with you when he heard the news.

Sending my thoughts to you and your family, Megan.

I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather.... (((((Megan))))))

>219 LovingLit:: Oh Megan, I am so sorry to hear your grandfather is not well. I do love that picture of him through the cottage window. It is one of my very favorites that you have posted. I am thinking of you and your family.

I have The Luminaries checked out from the library, but I first have to read the equally humongous Golden Notebook for my book group next week. I'm on page 50 or thereabouts and its not easy reading. At least I have a great book waiting for me.

I also applaud your decision to go back to school. In fact, I envy you for that and for your Lego librarian figure. I'm going to try my luck at Toys R Us next time I'm in there. Griffin can have the "rejects"! I suppose they put them in an opaque wrapper so they sell more figures.

Oh no (((((Megan))))). So sorry to hear about your Grandfather. Thoughts and prayers are with you, my friend.

Thoughts and hugs, (((Megan))). I'm sorry, too, to hear about your grandfather.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather. That he is so far away doesn't help.

Hi everyone!
Thanks so much for thinking of me. We have had a weird last 2 days as we heard NO NEWS AT ALL from Latvia regarding my grandfather. Late last night there was an email saying he has opened his eyes, and is perhaps stabilised, or recovering slightly. Of course, at such an advanced age, I dont expect him to recover really. But it was very odd to have no one letting us know what was going on.

So, he lives another day. As my dad affectionately said the other night when we were reminiscing and making ourselves very well known to the bottles of wine we were drinking...."he's a tenacious old bugger!". Good for him.

And in what can only be described as a major coincidence, the day we got word that he had fallen ill, was the day that the book on the story of his life came out here in NZ. It is the book that I helped do a read-through of a few months ago. It is called Andris, where are you? (Andris being my dad.)



It is pretty much the same text as Andris Apse Odyssey and Images that came out years ago, the format of which was confusing as it was a coffee table book with pictorial photographs my father had taken.

Dear Megan, one of the nicest gifts anyone has ever given to me was the one you gave me in Christchurch of your family story. The evocative photo above is from the book as I recall.

I was therefore saddened to see that the old trooper is not doing too well. Having read his story this year it is amazing that he got that he came so far and splendid that he has family around him and awaiting news of him so faithfully.

Add my own little drops of goodwill to a brave old man.

Megan- I am so sorry to hear about your Grandad! He sounds like such a wonderful man. What an honor to have a book released, about his life.
Gentle hugs, my friend!

>223 -Cee-: Thanks Cee, nice thoughts. I would be excited to get back to learning, but have yet to work out the details so dont want to count my chickens, as it were.

>224 Cobscook: Hi! Thanks for dropping by with your comments.

>225 cushlareads: Thanks Cushla, it was great having dad here. He walked with us to school and looked after Lenny while I did my university recon mission.

>226 SandDune: Thanks Rhian.

>227 mckait: Hi Kath, thanks for the hug!

>228 Donna828: Hi Donna, the Lego figures are in packaging that makes it impossible to guess their content. Some shop assistants reckon they can feel their way to knowing though! I think the librarian was from series 10 or 11. Her long hair and book might be the things to feel for.

>229 TinaV95: Thanks Tina, I appreciate it.

>230 lit_chick: Thanks Nancy :)

>231 avatiakh: Thanks Kerry, the distance isn't a help. It is pretty much the furthest away you can get!

>233 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much Paul- I am glad you liked receiving the book. In spite of it being so cumbersome, it is such a special family record for us all. And now we have a much more portable edition.

>234 msf59: thanks Mark- it is really cool seeing my family book on the shelves. For the mega-price of $40 it too can be yours (plus P&P). EEK do I hear you say? Well, maybe you can source it on Amazon in a few years for cheap :)

BOOK HAUL

The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer (from the University Bookshop, when I was researching my future degree(s?) $7.99 who are we kidding? $8
Andris, Where are you? by Ron Crosby (gift)
My Mistress's Sparrow is Dead edited by Jeffrey Eugenides $1 from local church fete, as with the next 2
100 NZ Short Short Stories edited by Graeme Lay $1
The Ancestor Game by Alex Miller $1

Howdy do, Docta Sista Maude, happy dregs-of-Sunday!

A family story is a wonderful thing... it must feel so good to have your dad putting things together that bind the family and entertain others at once.

Sunday is very much a day of ambivalence for me.. talk to the kids for sure day, and the day before monday. Somehow it often leaves me feeling unsettled and edgy. It has always been so.

I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather's poor health, Megan. Please let us know how he's doing.

I also applaud your plan to go back to university to pursue your dream! I had wanted to become a physician in my late teens, put that goal aside after I performed poorly in my first attempt at college, and then became interested again in my early 30s after I was in graduate school and working in a biomedical research lab, thanks in large part to one of my undergraduate advisors. At that time I had my doubts that I could do it, and my family and close friends were lukewarm in their support of my decision, but it was definitely the right move for me, and one that I've never regretted.

We're all behind you!

RD: thanks!
Sunday was great, we went on a family picnic to "Steam Scene"- a big open park thing with pine forest and steam trains, steam tractors, mini trains and playgrounds etc. The kids loved exploring and having a few rides on the things. Then in the afternoon I took W swimming at the pool, and we ran into his best friend from Kindergarten. Wilbur used peer pressure in a positive way and put his head under the water (intentionally) for the first time.

Kath: I used to feel odd about Sundays. But now most days are the same seeing as I always have to get up early and always have to look after the kids first and foremost, so I dont have any fear of Mondays :)
The family history is great to have recorded, and in such a format too!

Darryl: for some reason word about my Grandfather is not forthcoming. Maybe they dont realise we are on tenter-hooks around here.
The latest email states that although his eyes are open sometimes, he stares into space and cannot engage or respond to anyone. So not good. But he is still hanging in there. I hope to go and be with my dad if/when he does die. As dad wont travel over for a funeral, I feel that it is important for him to have family around him. As the book states....my father was pretty much alone in the world from the age of 16 since his mentally unwell step-dad pushed him out of the house. I feel very lucky to have been brought up in a home that was loving and stable, given that his childhood was anything but that.

Regarding my future study plans- I haven't committed to it yet as....as luck/fate would have it....a job opportunity has possibly come up with a book distribution company! Talk about timing. We shall see which way I go.

Wow, Megan, so many exciting things happening in your life, both good and sad. It's too bad your dad won't be able to travel back to Latvia for the funeral but I imagine that would be quite an undertaking. Your instinct to be with him when the time comes will be good for both of you, I'm sure.

A book distributor! Oh wow. That's a choice indeed. Interesting that it happens now. All those energetic forces of the universe converging.

Julia: there are so many exciting things happening right now, bar of course my Grandfather being so ill. I have really gotten excited about life since getting off crutches. And then today, my lovely other texted me to say that he got a performance bonus at work! They hardly ever give out extra cash in the public sector, so he is awesome, and we are lucky. :)

RD: I know. A book distributor. Talk about made to order, the head office also happens to be in my suburb.....too good to be true maybe? I hope not! It could work out that I save enough money to pay for my own post-graduate degree....(ok, now I really am getting ahead of myself).